Frame for grand pianos.



No. 765,987. PATENT'ED JULY 26, 1904 L. 008. FRAME FOR GRAND PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 26. 1904.

NO MODEL.

Patented July 26, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()EEIcE.

LUCIEN ODE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FRAME FOR GRAND PIANOS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 765,987, dated July 26, 1904.

Application filed April 26, 1904. Serial No. 204,933. (No model.)

1'0 all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LUOIEN Oon, a citizen of Belgium, residing at New York city, Bronx, county and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Frames for Grand Pianos, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a metal frame for grand pianos which is adapted to be fitted into the back of the piano-case between the notchblock and rim. By the use of this frame the construction of the case is greatly simplified and its strength is materially increased.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan of the rear part of a grand-piano case provided with my improved frame with the sounding-board omitted. Fig. 2 is a crosssection on line 2 2, Fig. 1, with the soundingboard in position; Fig. 3, an enlarged crosssection on line 3 3, Fig. 1; and Fig. 4, an enlarged cross-section on line 4 4, Fig. 1.

The letter a represents the key-bottom of a grand-piano case, and b is the notch block or beam that extends transversely above the same and constitutes the support for the sounding-board. 0 is the rim of the case, and (Z the sounding-board, which is supported upon the flange or lining b of the notch-block and upon the rim 0, all as usual. Heretofore the notch-block was generally connected to the rim by means of a number of separate timbers and was liable to become bulged under the tension of the strings. By my invention the notch-block is reinforced in such a manner that this objectionable bulging is prevented.

In carrying out my invention I fit into the case a metal frame which is made integral or in one piece. This frame fits between the notch-block and the rim and is readily secured to both by screws or similar fastenings. By

the use of this frame the construction of the case is materially simplified and its strength is greatly increased.

The frame is open and consists of an upper front rim 6 and a lower front rim 6', which is set back from the upper rim, excepting at the treble, Fig. 3, to accommodate the dampers. The lower rim 0' has bottom flanges e for the reception of screws 6 that secure the frame to the key-bottom a. The upper rim 6 has upper and lower forwardly-extending flanges e 6 that grasp the notch-block b, which is secured thereto by screws 6 From the front rim 6 0, formed as described, project rearwardly a number of longitudinal ribs 6 which are preferably T shaped in cross-section. These ribs terminate each in a rear flange 6 which fits against the inner side of rim 0 and is screwed thereto. In lieu of using a number of separate rear flanges a one continuous rear flange may obviously be employed.

The longitudinal ribs 6 are connected by a number of transverse braces a, that impart rigidity to the structure. Each rib e has a tapped socket 6 for the reception of a screw or bolt, by means of which the top plate (not shown) placed above the sounding-board may be connected to the frame.

In constructing the case it is only necessary to attach the notch-block to the frame and screw the latter to the rim and key-bottom. It will be seen that by my invention the notch block is reinforced by the metallic frame and that the strength of the case is materially increased.

What I claim is- 1. A metallic frame for grand pianos having a front flanged rim, rearwardly-extending ribs, a rear flange on each rib, and braces connecting the ribs, substantially as specified.

2. A metallic frame for grand pianos having an upper front rim, a lower front rim set back from the upper rim, a series of rearwardly-extending flanged ribs, and braces connecting the ribs, substantially as specified.

Signed by me at New York city, (Manhattan,) New York, this 22d day of April, 1904.

LUCIEN OOR.

Witnesses:

FRANK v. BRIESEN, FREDERICK UNFRIOHT. 

